Travelers may be told there is no bus to Saqqara. This is not entirely true.

Bus services ''do'' exist to Saqqara from central Cairo, but entail a lengthy journey and a long walk from the village up to the plateau.

Bus services ''do'' exist to Saqqara from central Cairo, but entail a lengthy journey and a long walk from the village up to the plateau.

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Alternatively, it is possible to reach the plateau by taking a microbus from the Giza metro station. It should be expected to transfer to multiple microbuses as there is no direct microbus. Tell the driver you want to go to "Marishay" and then Saqqara" and he should indicate where to transfer. Prices vary based on where the transfer points are from 25 piasters to 3 pounds. Once in Saqqara village, take a tuk-tuk for a few pounds to the site.

*the '''Step Pyramid of Djoser''' (also spelt ''Zoser'') - this structure marks the transition between the bench-like ''mastaba'' style of burial and the true pyramid shape (first seen at [[Dahshur]])

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* <see name="Pyramid of Teti I and Teti Period Cemetery" alt="" address="" directions="" phone="" email="" fax="" url="" hours="" price="">The pyramid tomb of the first ruler of the 6th Dynasty, the Pyramid of Teti was quickly surrounded by the tombs of his nobles and officials upon its completion.</see>

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*the '''Pyramid of Teti I''' and the '''Teti Period Cemetery''' - the pyramid tomb of the first ruler of the 6th Dynasty, the Pyramid of Teti was quickly surrounded by the tombs of his nobles and officials upon its completion.

* <see name="Mastaba of Ti" alt="" address="" directions="" phone="" email="" fax="" url="" hours="" price="">A 'classic' Old Kingdom tomb of a high noble and one of the richest sources of information about life during that period, the mastaba tomb of Ti is one of the grandest and best-decorated examples of funerary architecture in Egypt.</see>

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*the '''Mastaba of Ti''' - a 'classic' Old Kingdom tomb of a high noble and one of the richest sources of information about life during that period, the mastaba tomb of Ti is one of the grandest and best-decorated examples of funerary architecture in Egypt.

Revision as of 15:08, 8 January 2011

The Step Pyramid (and others)

Saqqara is the name given both to a village 32 km to the south of the Egyptian capital of Cairoand (more particularly) to the extensive ancient necropolis on the plateau above the Nile Valley, the location of tombs and pyramids dating to the Predynastic, Old Kingdom, New Kingdom and Late Periods of ancient Egyptian history.

Contents

Understand

The desert plateau above the modern village of Saqqara formed one of the main cemeteries of the ancient Egyptian capital city of Memphis for thousands of years. As such, it attracted a large number of royal and high prestige burials, the remains of which can be seen in pyramids and decorated tombs scattered across the area. The site of Saqqara is quite extensive, stretching 6 km north-south and 1.5 km across at its widest point.

Get in

By taxi / cab

Taxis can be hired from central Cairo to visit Saqqara. Negotiate with your driver for a daily rate.

By bus

Travelers may be told there is no bus to Saqqara. This is not entirely true.

Bus services do exist to Saqqara from central Cairo, but entail a lengthy journey and a long walk from the village up to the plateau.

Alternatively, it is possible to reach the plateau by taking a microbus from the Giza metro station. It should be expected to transfer to multiple microbuses as there is no direct microbus. Tell the driver you want to go to "Marishay" and then Saqqara" and he should indicate where to transfer. Prices vary based on where the transfer points are from 25 piasters to 3 pounds. Once in Saqqara village, take a tuk-tuk for a few pounds to the site.

Get around

See

Step Pyramid of Djoser. This structure marks the transition between the bench-like mastaba style of burial and the true pyramid shape (first seen at Dahshur).

Pyramid of Teti I and Teti Period Cemetery. The pyramid tomb of the first ruler of the 6th Dynasty, the Pyramid of Teti was quickly surrounded by the tombs of his nobles and officials upon its completion.

Tomb of Mereruka.

Tomb of Kagemni.

Tomb of Ankhmahor.

Serapeum.

Mastaba of Ti. A 'classic' Old Kingdom tomb of a high noble and one of the richest sources of information about life during that period, the mastaba tomb of Ti is one of the grandest and best-decorated examples of funerary architecture in Egypt.